Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That raises the question as to why, at a time when the Department is very busy prioritising legislative proposals and coming forward with legislation, including finalising the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018, there is an urgency around this. Why are scarce resources being committed to putting through a Bill that is not going to result in any fundamental difference? Mr. Gallagher has acknowledged that today. This makes me wonder if there is another agenda at play. I am not suggesting officials have another agenda but is there an attempt here to bring in a mechanism which would force the airport to reduce its charges further, in terms of taking out the point which acknowledges that the viability of the airport must be part of the consideration? This is our main gateway for connecting much of our high-end produce with overseas markets and for our tourism industry. Sometimes the importance of that indigenous industry to this country is forgotten but 280,000 jobs rely on the tourism sector. I have a fear that these changes could result in the DAA pulling back from carrying out much needed infrastructural investment, some of which would be critical if the airport is to grow. The Department has acknowledged that the current charging regime facilitated terminal two, something which its current political master railed against when he was in opposition. Enormous investment is needed to provide new landing spots, new gates, new taxiing facilities and, of course, a second runway. The officials are here as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process and we are at a very early stage with this legislation but I am concerned that the proposed changes will have a negative impact on DAA's ability to do what is needed. We cannot lose sight of the fact that we must be on the side of the passengers going through the airport. We must ensure that they are getting value for money and are not being charged exorbitant fees but it has been acknowledged today that Dublin is the second most competitive airport in Europe. I am questioning the need for this at this point in time.